AKC Beagle

Beagles date back to 200 A.D., but it was not until the 1800s that the Beagle breed gained renown and recognition as a great scent hound, and any AKC Beagle is supposed to be physically and mentally fit to perform at shows. Beagles are naturally adept at tracking and unraveling meandering trails of ground animals, such as hares, rabbits, foxes and so forth. These dogs are not intended as guard dogs, since they are very friendly with people, including strangers.

All AKC Beagles must show a maximum accordance with the AKC standard. Shows and competitions are arranged with the purpose of evaluation of a dog’s genetic, physical and mental potential. The quality of performance greatly depends on the dog’s owner, who accepts personal responsibility for his or her Beagle’s position in the ring and in life. It is not only the physical appearance that show experts estimate, but also the dog’s behavior and ability to properly react to various situations.

Beagles are medium-sized hound dogs, measuring 11-16 inches tall at the shoulder. It should be noted that AKC Beagles should not exceed 15-inch height. AKC recognizes two types of the breed, grouping them according to wither height and weight: under 13-inch Beagles and 13-15-inch Beagles. The former weigh around 20 lbs, and the latter range from 20 to 30 lbs.

Beagles are lively and sturdy dogs, with a domed skull, long ears and brown eyes. AKC Beagles come in all possible hound color combinations, such as white and tan (lemon, red) and black, plus various permutations of those with brown, liver, blue, gray and so forth. Beagles have a medium-length coat that requires little grooming. Ears and feet require attention, as they are more exposed to infection. Beagles have quite long tails with white tips, and they carry them upright.

Beagles are very people-oriented dogs. They enjoy big companies, and do not tend to be one-person dogs. Beagles appreciate daily rigorous exercise, and they can be very active indoors. Therefore, they require a fenced yard and enjoy daily walks. All AKC Beagles have an exceptional sense of smell, and they are very good at distinguishing large numbers of scents. A scent can make a Beagle lose self-control, and, not infrequently, once a Beagle catches a scent, he turns a deaf ear to his owner’s calls and shouts and may run away for good. For this reason, Beagles should not be walked without a lead.

Although Beagles are friendly and merry, they can be willful. Beagle training requires a little bit of experience, patience and devotion. If you are not experienced with this breed, a dog training class will be the best alternative for your Beagle. Beagles always need a job to do, and they hate loneliness. Separation anxiety and boredom can make them extremely vocal. Beagles are generally healthy, and their life span averages 12-14 years. An AKC Beagle with a flawless pedigree and good show record can be involved in major breeding program, so that his genetic potential is used for further improvement of the breed.